Travel Blog

“When to travel to Laos?” is one of the questions we’re asked frequently by clients who want to visit the “Land of Elephants.” There’s literally something to meet every traveler’s desire in Laos, which is one reason why the European Council on Tourism and Trade awarded it the “World’s Best Tourist Destination,” in 2013. Here’s a list of our top ten places to see in Laos, categorized by special interest.

A tour package through southwest Yunnan to Ruili, the border crossing into Myanmar, takes you through what is considered the most exotic part of China. The lush green rice fields provide a verdant contrast to the surrounding mountains. Then, after crossing the border into Myanmar at Muse, you find yourself heading to Yangon on part of the Old Burma Road, built with handmade tools in the late 1930’s.

Angkor Wat and the Khmer civilization of Cambodia are known worldwide, but Vietnam also boasts the ruins of an ancient culture – that of the Cham.

Today, the Cham villagers you meet in Hoi An and along the Mekong are just one of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, but a millennium ago, the Cham were the leading denizens of the Kingdom of Champa, “the grand emporium of Southeast Asia.” A marvelous testament to these early Vietnam colonists is the temple complex of My Son.

On June 11, the Bhutan soccer team lost to Hong Kong in what was their biggest challenge in qualifying games leading up to the 2016 World Cup. Just to have made it to this second round of the World Cup playoffs was something of a miracle and an inspiration to boost an interest in the game on their home fields.

Myths and Mountains is truly blessed to work with top ground operators. In Nepal, the local operators and their families have been greatly affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on April 25. However, despite their personal challenges, they have done everything necessary to keep our travelers in Nepal safe and helped arrange transportation for clients who choose to leave the country. Now, a little over a month since the Nepal disaster, our operators continue to update us on conditions in Kathmandu and other areas of the country. Their updates are so informative that we decided to share the most recent one with those who follow Myths and Mountains and who are interested in what is happening now in Nepal or who are planning a visit to Nepal. Greetings! Normalcy is slowly returning in Nepal. Although aftershocks still occur, and fear of them grips some parts of the country, thousands of young Nepalis have been working tirelessly to restore order and help those affected. These young people immediately swung into rescue and relief operation after the earthquake. For the last three years, they have been trained in disaster preparedness, and the sudden tremor was a real test for them. […]

If you’re going to the Galapagos Islands, you probably have a wish list of what you hope to do–bask on the beach with sea lions, watch blue-footed boobies dance for their mates, swim with tortoises. But there are some experiences that you probably didn’t even know were possible, because most cruises don’t offer them. Myths and Mountains does. For starters, what about meeting the locals while you travel the Galapagos Islands? Yes, only four of all of the Galapagos Islands are inhabited, including Floreana and San Cristobal. And have they got tales to tell! The most mysterious was the subject of The Galapagos Affair: When Satan Came to Eden, a riveting, true-crime documentary released in 2013. Then there’s the food, and we’re not just talking restaurants. We mean having dinner by candlelight at an organic farm and meeting its owners, or savoring freshly caught seafood with the fisherman–or woman–who caught it. A Unique Galapagos Vacation The reason Myths and Mountains can offer such a unique journey of wildlife and culture is that we have an expert on board. Allie Almario, our vice president, has been traveling to the Galapagos for more than 20 years. She’s served as president and executive […]

Nepal’s history is replete with disasters–earthquakes, floods, mudslides, avalanches, droughts and fires. Experts go so far as to say Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. But the fact that some 8,000 lives were lost in the April 25 earthquake and aftershocks makes that catastrophe the most devastating event this small, landlocked country has ever experienced. The Kindest People On the Planet Thankfully the international community immediately came to Nepal’s aid, but as we watch the nightly news, delivering that assistance has been a challenge. Now, perhaps more than ever before, the generosity and resiliency of the Nepali people is being put to the test. It seems so unfair that people who are so willing to share with travelers the little that they have, should have to go through this tragic event. Not only must they endure their personal grief, they must also rebuild their homes and communities and their archaeological heritage. Post-Quake Nepal Tourism I fell in love with Nepal and its people on my first trip there in 1984. Since then I have traveled and trekked in more parts of the country than most Westerners. Nepal tourism is a hallmark of Myths and Mountains, […]

Dear Friends, Many of you have asked how to help Nepal. As you know, Kathmandu has been devastated by the earthquake. There is no electricity, water is in critically short supply, people are sleeping on the street in tents and rescuers are still searching for survivors. People are just beginning to get word from villages that were affected by the quake, and no one really knows what is happening outside the city. Our own Myths and Mountains friends, travelers and READ Nepal family are all ok. But there is an immediate need for disaster relief and there is a longer-term need to support rebuilding efforts. READ (www.readglobal.org) is there for the long haul to help villagers. We are not a first-stage disaster relief organization, but many of our centers in rural Nepal, as well as near Kathmandu, were affected. If you want to contribute to help rebuild communities, feel free to donate to: http://www.readglobal.org/empower. Designate Nepal as the recipient. We will ensure that all funds get to those who most need them. For those who want to contribute to first stage disaster relief, below is a partial list of organizations that are helping with this critical stage: Mercy Corps Global […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Myths and Mountains CONTACT: Stephanie Norby TEL: 254-423-2568 EMAIL: snorby@adventuremedianews.com WEB: www.mythsandmountains.com Click here for Media Kit Myths and Mountains’ Laos with a Heart Tour Named One of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for 2015 The travel magazine’s ninth annual selection will be published in the May 2015 issue INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Myths and Mountains’ new Laos with a Heart tour was just selected as one of National Geographic Traveler’s 2015 “50 Tours of a Lifetime”. Myths and Mountains is an award-winning experiential tour operator offering active lifestyle trips to Asia, Southeast Asia and South America. The ninth annual list of tours will be featured in the print, online and tablet versions of the May 2015 issue. “Traveler’s philanthropy – giving back to the people and countries that have provided so much pleasure to our guests – has been a hallmark of Myths and Mountains trips to Asia, South America and Southeast Asia,” said Dr. Antonia Neubauer, President of Myths and Mountains. “We feel tremendously honored that National Geographic Traveler has recognized our effort both to provide adventurers with an opportunity to get inside the Laotian culture, while simultaneously supporting NGOs in Laos that are […]

by Myths Traveler Robin Holabird As a child, I had a pet guinea pig, Honey, with a personality as sweet as her name. Caught up in the thrill of new Peruvian tastes and adventures, I admit I ate some of her kind. It’s my husband Fred’s fault. He ordered it at Limo, a restaurant in Cusco. One of our food habits is that we always switch plates and share dishes. For us, part of our Peru adventure with Myths and Mountains meant testing our “foodie” status throughout the country. Cuy Cuisine “Really?” I said to him as he finished asking for “Cuy confit.” In Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Bolivian Spanish, “cuy” means guinea pig. Confit preparation seals the meat in oil, intensifying the flavor. “We’re here for new experiences,” he answered. His dish arrived, looking like a UFO—unidentifiable fried object. He broke into it with knife and fork, picking around for meat. “Hmmm,” he said, swallowing. “Doesn’t taste like chicken.” My turn came and I quickly jettisoned silverware for fingers. I grabbed a haunch, holding the top thigh between my left thumb and finger, with my right hand grasping the leg’s lower portion. Barely an inch separated my hands, the […]